Balance Testing and Care

Helping You Regain Balance Control

More than 50 percent of the entire U.S. population will experience dizziness or balance problems during their lifetime.

For people over the age of 65, falls are the number one cause of accidental death and the number one reason for hospital admissions. Common objects like throw rugs and stairs become a daily, potentially life-threatening, risk for those at highest risk for balance issues.

But, balance problems aren’t just a concern for older people. People who have had strokes, head or neck trauma can also be at risk.

You may be eligible for a balance test if you:

Have trouble walking up or down inclined surfaces

Lose your balance while standing still

Need support or grab something when moving around

Have problems judging distances when walking

Feel dizzy or light headed when standing or walking

Have trouble getting up from a chair

Have fallen more than once in the last year

Have ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear

What you can expect during balance testing

If you feel off balance, you can regain control with an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment. Virtua partners with Persante Balance Care to determine the source of the balance issues. Tests include:

Visual testing: You will be asked to follow objects with your eyes to ensure that you can appropriately track the movement. The technician will identify any slowness or inaccuracies.

Movement testing: You will be asked to move your head and body into various positions to make sure that there are no inappropriate movements of your eyes when your head is in different positions.

Inner-ear testing: Your inner ear will be stimulated with warm and cold air. A technician will monitor your eyes to ensure that your ears can sense this stimulation.

Learning how to use assistive devices such as canes, walkers and crutches

Undergoing treatment for vertigo (a condition of the inner ear that can make you feel as if your swaying or spinning)

Safeguard your home with Virtua Home Care

To help safeguard you from falls in the home, you may qualify for a visit from a Virtua Home Care nurse. The nurse can help identify potential hazards in your home and offer solutions to make your home safer. Suggestions may include:

Ensuring there is enough space between furniture

Installing a shower chair

Adding more effective lighting

Securing or removing throw rugs

Are you or a family member at risk for falls?

To undergo balance testing, you need a prescription from your family doctor or internist. Please call 1-888-VIRTUA-3 to make an appointment or for additional assistance.